We're back. I'm still trying to re-figure/ streamline the Spice Selections to make it all more sensible to you and feasible to us. Truth is, y'all just don't use the spices and seasonings as much as I do (despite that, as with all spice & seasoning ingredients, they are best if used within a six month period and not after). That's understandable, but it makes having an online business impractical, is all. Over the course of many months I've been considering ways to make the spices more appealing to first time as well as repeat buyers. I've sought to solve several problems with the product, including:

The tendency for the spice seasonings to clump - I've switched suppliers and am now using ingredients which are ground finer and have less tendency to clump. I've been satisfied with the results and I hope that you have as well.

Packaging: The metal tins I'm using are, at best, a compromise in order to ship the spices as well as make them appealing and functional. When I initially started selling spices back in 2005, I was using 4 oz. glass jars. People really like the jars over the tins, and while the tins cost more, they are easier to ship without worrying that you will end up with a package of seasoned glass shards on your end.

Packaging #2: I have been considering losing the tins in favor of simple, functional, utilitarian plastic bags. Why? I have a lot of plastic bags in stock intended for refills of spices, and that just doesn't happen. If I switch to using the plastic bags, I could probably increase the amount of spice seasoning per order while decreasing the cost of each item as well as shipping. How about that?

Packaging #3: Wouldn't ya know, now they are saying that plastic is EVIL and DOES NOT LIKE YOU or YOUR FAMILY. Oh, plastic - we lived with so many hopes for you that must now go unfulfilled. It was sweet while it lasted.

Scrapping the catalog: That's right. Another serious consideration I've had for some time now is to scrap all of my current product and sell only certain items. What I have been selling over the past several years would essentially be retired. "What will you replace it with?", you ask? Well, let me tell you - I've been thinking of starting a whole new line of extremely hot and spicy seasonings and bbq rubs, so that I can rename it THE BURN WARD. That's right. I don't joke about such things. We're talking (or rather mumbling, since we've been steadily searing off the nerves on our tongues) serious Scoville Units here. What is your vote?

Spice of the Month Club: While it is still a serious consideration, it has never generated enough interest to convince me to do it. Maybe. Drop me a line and tell me you'd support it if I made it available. No, not just you, I mean some of those other people out there who haven't piped up yet.

Gift Sets: Of course - there will always be gift sets, as well as sales, like the ever popular buy 2 get 1 free deal.

Cost: Oy... one could make a living, if only they'd let you - ya know what I mean? Over the past 12 to 18 months, cost just got weird, particularly because import/ export costs that bear on the availability of ingredients for the spices and seasonings. I try to keep that old carbon foot print as small as possible - I've even considered binding my carbon foot to a child's size 2 - but there are certain ingredients that just are not easily available in our area of Western Massachusetts. Things like fresh Kaffir Lime Leaf and Lemongrass which, the last time I had to purchase a bulk of each I was told that I would need to pre-order it as it comes from places with sunnier climates, yet it is also affected by state restrictions which prevent growing these plants in proximity of delicate citrus agricultural regions. So - I temporarily stopped making the Green Thai Curry, which needs a good amount of each to get the flavor perfect. I know - it makes me sad, too, not to have my Green Thai Curry.

So that's the short of the long on the matter. Write me and let me know what your vote is on any or all of the intertwining topics.

And thanks for your support, your patience and your friendship - I really do appreciate it!

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This blog is a companion site to my online business at emburke.etsy.com where I sell unique spice and seasoning blends. I will be featuring recipes that use the spice blends here, but you can easily adapt them to suit your own needs. Also, my spice and seasoning blends are interchangeable - you can easily use one blend in place of another to get a different creative result or you can play it safe and stick to the recipe.I have a variety of spice & seasoning blends available for purchase here - the perfect compliment for your meat & vegetarian entrées or side dishes. Each of my spice blends are made from fresh, organic spices purchased locally and are ground & blended by myself. They can be used as a dry or wet rub, as a marinade or sauce, or as a seasoning to add a little extra flavor.

Also, if you have any ideas, suggestions or challenges - send them on to me and I'll place them on the site as well.

Each quarter a portion of all sales from this site will be given to support a local charity in Western Massachusetts.

I think you will enjoy them as much as I do. Please spread the word!

Thanks, Elliott

P.S. - I'll have some other items available here in the near future.------------------------------------------------------------

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Read what some nice people have to say about my spices:"

Some mornings, I just stand in the kitchen alone and sniff Elliotts' spice. Then I'm somehow ready to start my day. And, oh yes, Elliott's spice IS great for cooking. Your eating habit will literally get "spiced up"."~ Tomoko Deeney (TADworks)"I’ve almost never finished a full jar of spice and I’ve used several jars of Elliott’s spices in a matter of months. They are very unique and full of different flavors without being too salty or overpowering. They get my highest recommendation. Try them and you will love them."~ Keith Brisebois"Elliott’s Green Thai is the most amazing spice... perfect for tacos, fish, chicken or beef. Once you’ve tried it, you won’t be able to cook without it!"~ Chrissie Henry"I hadn't really explored the world of spices until this mixture somehow found its way into my cupboard. I had lived a fairly plain sea salt and cracked pepper food life, until this came along. I enjoy the 'kick' it has on my palate. And still the blend lends itself to good eatin'."~ Rachel Wilson"Having a jar of Elliott's spice blends in my cupboard I feel as if I have been instantly transformed into a fantastic chef. Dishes I would normally feel intimidated to try - Curried Cauliflower, Tandori Chicken, Morrocan Lamb Stew - now feel within reach. Thank you, Elliott for opening up a whole world, literally, of fabulous food!"~ Alicia Pritt"Filled a void in my life."~ Elizabeth (from Russia)

el brujo

music composer/ sound designer, writer, researcher and the founder and artistic director of Ishah 'El theatre arts, a non-profit, multi-cultural theatre arts organization involved in the development, education, support, promotion and production of theatre with an emphasis on faith and spirituality. I have some ambitious plans in the works that I will be revealing here and elsewhere soon: more music, writing, audio plays and podcasts of current projects. Currently I'm working on getting my website completed, updating all of these various social web sites, FUNDRAISING, and in the near future will be on several collaborative sites. I hope I find you there.

Rumor has it that I'll soon be working in the Fine Arts Center theatre department at UMASS Amherst. When, I don't really know. Soon. Very soon...

I'm also a DJ with WMUA 91.1 FM at UMASS Amherst, and I host the Grooved Pavement world music show on Wednesdays from noon to 2:30 PM EST. Tune in and check it out sometime, either on your radio or you can stream it live through iTunes. Go to iTunes, click on "Radio" and search for WMUA in the "College / University" and "Eclectic" sections.

Feel free to add me to your circles or follow me. There's a great chance I'll do the same. However, if you add/follow me simply to post a continual stream of irrelevant ads for stuff I have no interest in, I will report and block you.

afrikan malayan curry blend

introducing an old favorite!

This is one of the original spice seasoning blends I created when I began making and selling them in 2006. It is still a favorite of mine!

Curries came to the Cape of Good Hope by way of traders from India and the surrounding islands, and the Malayan peoples have had a significant influence on the traditional cuisine of Cape Town, South Africa.

Use this Afrikan Malayan curry to spice up unique entrees & dishes, or make a paste with it to season & marinade meats.

Original curry seasoning blend featuring lemon grass, kaffir lime, curry leaf & cardamom. This spice seasoning has a great flavor without being too spicy. Perfect as a rub or marinade on a variety of meat entrées, as a sauce or a seasoning in side dishes.

Elliott’s Green Thai is the most amazing spice... perfect for tacos, fish, chicken or beef. Once you’ve tried it, you won’t be able to cook without it!~ Chrissie HenryMy wife brought the Green Thai Spice as a gift to some friends she was visiting & they tried it in scrambled eggs!They loved it! I had my doubts but we tried it yesterday - I have to admit that I was quite surprised myself!~ Elliott

moroccan tajine spice blend

a North African-Middle Eastern crossroad delight

Sumptuous tajines come from Morocco and other regions of Northern Africa, and refer to the unique cooking pot as well as the delicious stews cooked in them. Use this spice blend to season lamb, beef, & poultry or sauces. If you don’t have a tagine to cook with try using a crock or stove top pot.

Original tajine seasoning blend featuring ginger, onion cumin, cinnamon & saffron. This spice seasoning has a medium hot spice flavor. Wonderful as a rub or marinade on meats, as a sauce or a seasoning in side dishes.

I hadn't really explored the world of spices until this mixture somehow found its way into my cupboard. I had lived a fairly plain sea salt and cracked pepper food life, until this came along. I enjoy the 'kick' it has on my palate. And still the blend lends itself to good eatin'.~ Rachel Wilson

ethiopian berbère spice blend

a rich East African delicacy

Berbère is the traditional Ethiopian seasoning for lentils and beans & is excellent for flavoring meats. Use as a dry rub or mix with a little water to make into a curry paste. Great as a seasoning for vegetables, whole grains, legumes & sauces.

tandoori spice blend

our favorite Indian blend

The popular tandoor oven of India comes from the ancient Babylonian tinuru. Little has changed since then & tandoori cooking remains a favorite over the world. Best used as a thick marinade with yoghurt in oven roasting & baking, this spice will liven up your lamb & poultry dishes & make them dance.

I’ve almost never finished a full jar of spice and I’ve used several jars of Elliott’s spices in a matter of months. They are very unique and full of different flavors without being too salty or overpowering. They get my highest recommendation. Try them and you will love them.~ Keith Brisebois

cajun seasoning

an American classic

Being one of the elder statesmen of the new country’s melting pot, Cajun cooking needs no introduction. With an extra kick from chipotle peppers, this blend is perfect for seafood and meats as well as seasoning sauces, stews and Tex-Mex dishes. Try on roast pork & French fries!